Top-Paid Employees In Western Springs District 101

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The top-paid employee at Western Springs School District 101 in the 2025-26 school year was Superintendent Sarah Coffey.

Coffey made $275,382, nearly two-thirds more than the next highest-paid employee.

The highest-paid teacher was Andrea Gaughan. At sixth on the list, she made $142,780.

The district, which has about 1,500 students, recently released its 2025-26 compensation list.

Here is what the 25 highest-paid administrators and teachers made in the 2025-26 year, including retirement enhancements (some may have since retired or moved to other positions):

1. Sarah Coffey
Superintendent
$275,382

2. Rachel Corrough
Principal
$167,415

3. Zachary Stokes
Chief business official
$167,140

4. Ashley Burger
Assistant superintendent
$159,937

5. Laura Anne Broadnax
Principal
$152,922

6. Andrea Gaughan
Math resource teacher
$142,780

7. Renee Epstein
Principal
$136,949

8. Patrick Duncan
Assistant special education director
$132,458

9. Melanie Johns-Walker
Speech-language pathology teacher
$131,538

10. Stephen Dembo
Head of general education
$131,497

11. Dawn Fiebrandt
Teacher
$127,838

12. Emily Kruzel
Principal
$127,799

13. Kristin Axelson
Teacher
$127,261

14. Christine Long
Speech-language pathology teacher
$126,242

15. Jennifer Cushman
Teacher
$125,529

16. Scott Elder
Teacher
$123,264

17. Ryan McLaughlin
Teacher
$122,998

18. Jane Weber
Teacher
$121,690

19. Jennifer Elder
Foreign language resource teacher
$121,153

20. Elizabeth Barton
Teacher
$120,457

21. Kathryn Egan
Teacher
$120,214

22. Thomas Sturm
Assistant principal
$120,131

23. Emily Rojas
Assistant special education director
$120,130

24. Erin McKenzie
Teacher
$118,828

25. Lisa Gurblesky
Foreign language resource teacher
$118,612